Please help me identify the age and markings on this Rapier.

[ASPaulding]

Originally Posted by fernando

Jim, definitely i am not such a connoisseur; once things are not explicit, i am completely lost .
To say this example does not fall (to me) within the regular range. I would not know how to explain the atypicaly (curve) tapering shape (certainly not due to over sharpening) and that array of digits.vBoth these and what appears to be a mark (?) deserve better pictures, for a possible better diagnosis attempt. Maybe ASPaulding can do that for us ?
The 'knob' with which the knuckle guard joins the pommel, may we call it atypical ?
I have never heard of a detail such as faux rompepuntas; could this just be an 'exuberant' rim ?

Hopefully this may help.